Multi-section tags



April 30, 1963 c. A. GUsTAFsoN 3,087,267

MULTI-SECTION TAGS Filed July 25, 1961 United States Patent O 3,087,267 MULTl-SECTGN TAGS Carl A. Gustafson, Southborough, Mass., assigner to Dennison Manufacturing Company, Framingham, Mass., a corporation of Massachusetts Filed July 2S, 1961, Ser. No. 126,725 16 Claims. (Cl. 40-2) This invention relates to tags having several sections for use in drug stores, pharmacies, etc. to identify articles left by customers, such as a watch to be repaired, a prescription to be filled, baggage or a parked automobile.

Objects of the invention are to produce tags which are simple and economical in construction, which can be applied quickly and easily and which minimize the danger of confusion `among orders.

According to this invention each article comprises a tag having a weakened line dividing it into rst and second parts, a label having a weakened line dividing it into first and second parts, the label being superposed over the tag wit-h said weakened lines in registry :and with its first part fast to the iirst part of the tag and covering only a portion thereof, a coating of pressure-sensitive adhesive on the back of the second part of the label, and a release sheet covering said coating, whereby the label may be detached by tearing along said weakened lines and, after peeling off the release sheet, mounted on a surface with said adhesive.

In one form of the invention each iarticle comprises a tag and a label having overlapping portions with a weakened line extending transversely -across said portions so that the tag and label :may be separated, a coating of pressure-sensitive adhesive on the back of the label, and a release sheet over said coating, the overlapping portions being fast together on both sides of said line so that a part of the tag remains on the label when the tag and label are separated.

In another form of the invention each tag has a label 'secured to the face thereof with -a coating of pressure- I remaining area from adhering to the tag permanently so that the label may be removed `from the tag. Prefer ably the aforesaid second release sheet is unattached to the tag so that it goes with the label when the label is removed from the tag.

In a more specific aspect the tag comprises three sections interconnected lalong weakened lines defining an intermediate section and detachable sections on opposite sides of the intermediate section, with -a label secured to the tag over the intermediate section, a coating of pressure-sensitive adhesive on the back of the label, and a release sheet interposed between the intermediate section and label, the sheet adhering to the coating so that it remains on the label when the label is removed from the tag, the sheet covering only a portion of the area of the aforesaid coating so that, when the label is detached from the tag, the remaining area of the coating may be used to `adhere the label to an article.

In ya still more specilic aspect the invention involves a tag strip having transverse weakened lines to divide the strip into individual tags and having longitudinal weakened lines to divide each tag into an intermediate secice tion and detachable sections on the opposite sides o f the intermediate section, with a label strip secured to the tag strip over the `aforesaid intermediate sections, the label strip 'having transverse weakened lines registering with the `aforesaid transverse weakened 4lines to divide the label strip into individual labels, a coating of pressure-sensitive adhesive on .the back of the label strip, a release strip interposed between the tag and label strips, the release strip having transverse weakened lines registering with :said transverse weakened lines to divide the release strip into parts corresponding to the individual labels, the release strip adhering to the aforesaid coating so that a release part remains on each label when the individual tags are separated, each release part covering only a portion of the coating of the corresponding label so that, when the label is detached from the tag, the remaining area of the coating may be used Ito adhere the label -to an article.

For the purpose of illustration typical embodiments of the invention are shown in the accompanying drawings in which FIG. 11 is a plan view of a ticket strip;

FIG. 2, is a similar view of a single ticket separated from the strip;

FIG. 3 is a section on line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a view like FIG. 2 Iafter the sections of the single ticket are separated from each other;

FIG. 5 is a section on line 5 5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a view like FIG. 4 of the label with a por tion of its release sheet partially peeled 0H;

FIG. 7 is a view like FIG. `6 after both parts of the release sheet have been peeled olf the label;

FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic view of a method of making tag strip shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a section through one embodiment; and

FIG. 10 is -a section through another embodiment.

The particular embodiment of `the invention shown in FIGS. I1 to 8 comprises a tag strip `1 divided into three longitudinal sections by weakened lines 2 and 3 and divided transversely by weakened lines 4 to `form individual tickets 5 each comprising an intermediate section 6 and detachable sections 7 and 8. The width of the sections 6, 7 and 8 may be the same or different depending on the use to which the tickets are -to be put. Superposed over the intermediate section 6 is a label strip 9 the margins of which overlap the inner margins of the detachable sections 7 tand 8. The label strip `also has longitudinal weakened lines 2 and 3 and transverse weakened lines 4 registering with those of the tag strip. The back of the label strip is coated with -a layer 10 of pressure-sensitive adhesive and intermediate the ad-hesive layer and the tag strip is a release sheet divided at 11 into a large part 12 `and a small part 13. The width of the release strip is limited lto the width of the intermediate tag strip so that the margins of the label strip 9 adhere to the inner margins of the detachable sections 7 and 8.

The detachable sections 7 wd 8 of the tag strip and the label strip may carry any suitable indicia depending on their use. For example when used in a pharmacy the label 6 and the detachable sections 7 and 8 may carry suitable indicia indicating the number of the order, etc. When a customer brings in a prescription to be filled, one ticket, such as 5 in FIG. 2, is torn olf and the three sections 6, 7 and 8 of the ticket are torn apart as shown in FIG. 4. The central section 6 of the tag is discarded, the large section-12 of the release sheet is peeled olf the label 9 as shown in FIG. 6 and the label is applied, by the pressure-sensitive adhesive 10, to the prescription. The section 8 is given to the customer and the section 7 is retained by the clerk receiving the order. The label 6 and "sections 7 and 8 of each ticket should carry the same identifying numbers.

In separating the three sections of each ticket as shown inl FIG. 4- the margins of the label remain` ony the detachable sections 7 and 8 leaving the intermediate sections 6 of the tag freeV from the other parts to be discarded. After the prescription has been filled the label 9 is removed from the prescription, the small section 13 'of the release sheet is removed and the label is transferred to the container for the prescribed material to be delivered to the customer. Ihus the portion of the label covered by the small section 13 of the release sheet affords a fresh area l'ofpressure-sensitive adhesive to supplement the adhesive- 4ness of the larger area which has been used previously.

One method of making the tag strips is shown in FIG. 8v where the release strip 12-13 is applied to the label strip 9 at 14 and the two sheets are applied to the tag strip 1` aty 15. The longitudinal and transverse perforations arepreferably applied after the strips have been fsuperposed and they extend through all of the strips as indicated in FIG. 3, thereby embedding the edges of the inabel,perforationsin the tag stock.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 9 is like that shown in FIGS. 1 to 8 except in that the part 8 has been omitted, the other parts being correspondingly designated.

FIG. l()` is Vlike theembodiment shown in FIG. 9 except in `that the part 6 has also been omitted and the release sheet 23 is made in one part instead of two parts 12 and 13. Inl-TIG.- lOthe parts I7 and 19 correspond to the parts 7' andvl respectively of FIG. 9 and the weakened line 22. corresponds to 2 in FIG. 9 and the adhesive layer 2()V corresponds to dit.k

jrom the-foregoing it, will be understood that each embodiment'of'the invention comprises a tag having a weakfened line dividing it into first and second parts, a label having a. weakened, line dividing it into iirst and second parts, the label being superposed over the tag with said weakened linesin registry and with its rst part fast to the rst part of the tag and covering only a portion thereof, a coating of pressure-sensitive adhesive on the back of the. second part of the label, and a release sheet covering the aforesaid coating, whereby the label may be detached by tearing along said weakened line and, after peeling off the release sheet, mounted on a surface with the aforesaid adhesive. Also each, embodiment comprises a tag and a Llabel havingroverlapping portions with a weakened line extending transversely across the overlapping portions so that the tag and label may be separated, with a coating of-pressure-sensitive adhesive on the back of the label and a release sheet over the coating. The embodiment shown in FIG. 10 is further characterized in that the overlapping portions are fast together on both sidesof the weakened line so thaty a part of the tag remains on the label when the tag and label are separated.

ItA should be understood that the present disclosure is for the purpose of illustration only and that this invention includes all modications and equivalents which fall within the scope of the appended claims.

This is` a continuation-impart of Ser. No. 108,873, led May 9, 1961.

I claim:

1. An article of the type described comprising a tag having a weakened line dividing it into rst and second parts, a label having a weakened line dividing it into rst .and second parts, the label being superposed over the tag with said weakened lines in registry and with its rst part fast to the rst part of the tag and covering only a portion thereof, a coating of pressure-sensitive adhesive on the back of the second part of the label, and a release sheet covering said coating, whereby the label may be detached by tearing along said weakened lines and, after peeling ol the release sheet, mounted on a surface with said adhesive.

2. An article of the class described comprising a tag and a label having overlapping portions with a weakened line extending transversely across said portions so that the tag and label may be separated, a coating of pressuresensitive adhesive on the -back of the label, and a release sheet over said coating.

3. An article according to claim 2 further characterized inthat said overlapping portions are fast together on both sides of said line so that a part of the tag remains on the label when the tag and label are separated.

4. A tag having a label secured to the face thereof, a coating of pressure-sensitive adhesive on the back of the label, a release sheet interposed between the tag and label, said sheet adhering to said coating so that it remains on the label when the label is removed from the tag, said sheet covering only a portion of the area of said coating so that, when the label is detached from the tag, the remaining area ofthe coating may be used to adhere the label to an article.

5. A` tag having a label secured to the face thereof, a coating of pressure-sensitive adhesive on the back of the label, a release sheet interposed between the tag andV label, said sheet adhering to said coating so that it remains on the label when the label is removed from the tag, said sheet covering only a portion of the area of said coating so that, when the. label is detached from the tag, the remaining area of the coating may be used to adhere the label. to an article, and means to prevent said remaining area from adhering to the tag permanently so that the label may be removed from the tag.

6. A tag according to claim 5 wherein said means comprisesa second release sheet covering said remaining area.

7. A tag according to claim 6 wherein said second release sheet is unattached to the tag.

8. A tag comprising three sections interconnected along weakened lines dening an intermediate section and detachable sections on opposite sides of the intermediate section, alabel secured to the tag over the intermediate section, a coating of pressure-sensitive adhesive on the back of the label, a release sheet interposed betweenthe intermediateY section and label, said sheet adhering to said coatingV so that it remains on the label when the label is removed from the tag, said sheet covering only a portion of the area of said coating so that, when the labelis detached from the. tag, the remaining area of the coating may be used to adhere the label to an article.

9. A tag comprising fthree sections interconnected along weakened lines defining an intermediate section and' `detachable sections on opposite sides of the intermediate section, a label secured to the tag over the intermediate section, a coating of pressure-sensitive adhesive on the back of the label, a release sheet interposed between the intermediate section and label, said sheet adhering to said coating so that it remains on the labelV whenthe label is removed from the tag, said sheet covering only a portion of the area of said coating so that, when the label is detached from 'the tag, the remaining area of the coating may be used to adhere the label to. an article, and means to prevent said remaining area from adhering to the tag permanently so that the label may be removed from the tag.

10. A ltag according to claim 9 wherein said means comprises a second release sheet covering said remaining area.

11. A tag according to claim 'l0 wherein said second release sheet is unattached to the tag.

12. A tag according to claim 9 wherein the margins of the label overlap said detachable sections and are securedv thereto and the portion of the label over the intermediate section is unattached thereto.

13'. An article of the type described comprising a tag strip having transverse weakened lines to divide the strip into individual tags and having longitudinal weakened lines to divide each tag into an intermediate section and detachable sections on opposite sides of the intermediate section, a label strip secured to the tag strip over said intermediate sections, the label strip having transverse weakened lines registering with said transverse weakened lines to divide the label strip into individual labels, a coating of pressure-sensitive adhesive on the back oi the label strip, a release strip interposed between the tag and label strips, the release strip having transverse weakened lines registering with said transverse weakened lines to divide the release strips into parts corresponding to the individual labels, said release strip adhering to said coating so that a release part remains on each label when the individual tags are separated, each release part covering only a portion of the coating of the corresponding label so that, when the label is detached from the tag, the remaining area of the coating may be used to adhere the label to an article.

14. An article according to claim 13 further characterized by means for preventing said remaining area from adhering to the tag permanently so that each label may be removed from the tag.

15. An article according to claim y14 further characterized in that said means comprises a second release strip covering said remaining areas of the tags.

16. An article according to claim 15 wherein said second release strip is unattached to the `tag strip.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

1. AN ARTICLE OF THE TYPE DESCRIBED COMPRISING A TAG HAVING A WEAKENED LINE DIVIDING IT INTO FIRST AND SECOND PARTS, A LABEL HAVING A WEAKENED LINE DIVIDING IT INTO FIRST AND SECOND PARTS, THE LABEL BEING SUPERPOSED OVER THE TAG WITH SAID WEAKENED LINES IN REGISTRY AND WITH ITS FIRST PART FAST TO THE FIRST PART OF THE TAG AND COVERING ONLY A PORTION THEREOF, A COATING OF PRESSURE-SENSITIVE ADHESIVE ON THE BACK OF THE SECOND PART OF THE LABEL, AND A RELEASE SHEET COVERING SAID COATING, WHEREBY THE LABEL MAY BE DETACHED BY TEARING ALONG SAID WEAKENED LINES AND, AFTER PEELING OFF THE RELEASE SHEET, MOUNTED ON A SURFACE WITH SAID ADHESIVE. 